Method and system for filling bladder members

ABSTRACT

A method and system for automatic filling are provided. The system includes a drive assembly and a source of bladders to be filled wherein the bladders are joined in serial arrangement to a feeding web. The web is configured to be moved through the system using the drive assembly. The system further includes a nozzle configured to receive a flow of filling fluid and direct the flow of fluid into each bladder in turn and a closure device positioned proximate the nozzle wherein the closure device is configured to secure each bladder when filled such that each bladder remains filled after discharge from the system. The system also includes a trigger assembly configured to activate the closure device at a predetermined level of filling of each bladder.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and the benefit of the filing dateof U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/598,119 filed on Feb. 13, 2012,which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The field of the invention relates generally to water amusement devices,and more specifically, to a method and system for filling a sequentialstream of bladders, such as, but not limited to, water balloonsautomatically.

Water balloon “fights” are a popular outdoor summer activity. Typically,balloons are filled with water from a hose or spigot and the neck istied off after sufficient filling to create the water balloon. The waterballoons are used to bombard opposing players with the intent beingscoring a hit on the opposing player such that the balloon breaks onimpact, thereby soaking the opposing player. The water balloon fight islimited by a number of water balloons that can be generated during thetime period the water balloon fight is being played. However, becausethe speed at which the water balloons can be deployed against theopposing players is much greater than the speed at which they can beproduced, the game winds down relatively quickly as players loseinterest in the slower paced game.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, a system for automatic filling includes a driveassembly and a source of bladders to be filled wherein the bladders arejoined in serial arrangement to a feeding web. The web is configured tobe moved through the system using the drive assembly. The system furtherincludes a nozzle configured to receive a flow of filling fluid anddirect the flow of fluid into each bladder in turn and a closure devicepositioned proximate the nozzle wherein the closure device is configuredto secure each bladder when filled such that each bladder remains filledafter discharge from the system. The system also includes a triggerassembly configured to activate the closure device at a predeterminedlevel of filling of each bladder.

In another embodiment, a method of automatically supplying sealed fluidfilled bladders includes feeding a plurality of bladders sequentiallyarranged along a web or matrix, aligning an opening of each of theplurality of bladders with a nozzle, directing a stream of pressurizedfluid through the opening into an interior of the plurality of bladders,securing the opening after a predetermined amount of pressurized fluidhas entered the interior, and disengaging each of the plurality ofbladders from the web or matrix upon the securing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1-8 show exemplary embodiments of the method and system describedherein.

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an automatic water balloonfilling system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a power unit for generating anddistributing mechanical power used to operate the automatic features ofsystem.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of another power unit for generatingand distributing mechanical power used to operate the automatic featuresof system.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a web in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the web shown in FIG. 4 in accordancewith an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a web in accordance with an another embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an embodiment of automatic water balloonfilling system.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another embodiment of automatic waterballoon filling system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description illustrates embodiments of theinvention by way of example and not by way of limitation. It iscontemplated that the invention has general application to analyticaland methodical embodiments of automatically forming and filling bladdersin industrial, commercial, and residential applications.

As used herein, an element or step recited in the singular and precededwith the word “a” or “an” should be understood as not excluding pluralelements or steps, unless such exclusion is explicitly recited.Furthermore, references to “one embodiment” of the present invention arenot intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additionalembodiments that also incorporate the recited features.

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an automatic water balloonfilling system 100 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention. In the exemplary embodiment, system 100 includes apower unit 102 for generating and distributing mechanical power used tooperate the automatic features of system 100. In the exemplaryembodiment, power unit 102 includes a water turbine 104 configured toreceive a stream 106 of pressurized water from a water source 108through a hose 110 and a quick-release coupling pair 112. Water turbine104 rotates under the force of stream 106 about an axis of rotation 114to drive a turbine shaft 116. Exhaust 120 from water turbine 104, whichstill has sufficient pressure for filling water balloons, is channeledto a nozzle 122.

A balloon cartridge 124 includes a plurality of balloons 126 coupled toa matrix or web 128 for handling, conveying, supporting, and guidingballoons 126 from cartridge 124. A distributor 130 distributesmechanical power received from shaft 116 to cartridge 124 for feedingweb 128 from cartridge 124. Distributor 130 also distributes mechanicalpower to a balloon closure device 132, which upon signal from a tripdevice 134, applies a closure tie 136 to a throat 138 of each balloon126 after balloon 126 has filled sufficiently, for example, to apredetermined diameter or weight as indicated by trip device 134. In theexemplary embodiment, closure ties 136 are mounted within or outside web128 in a position associated with a respective balloon 126. In variousembodiments, closure ties 136 are supplied in a magazine 140, which maysupply closure ties 136 through a bias mechanism 142 on-board magazine140, or magazine 140 may also receive mechanical power from distributor130 for feeding and/or closing closure ties 136.

During operation, water pressure operates water turbine 104, whichsupplies power to automatically feed balloons 126 on web 128 intoposition opposite nozzle 122. Residual water pressure is directed intothroat 138 to fill balloon 126, which at a predetermined diameter orweight, initiates trip device 134 to cause closure tie 136 to be appliedto throat 138, balloon 126 to be dislodged from web 128, so that thefilled balloon 126 can fall away clear of system 100. The operationrepeats for each balloon that is fed from cartridge 124 until, forexample, water pressure is removed.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a power unit 202 for generatingand distributing mechanical power used to operate the automatic featuresof system 100. In the exemplary embodiment, power unit 202 includes anelectric motor 204 and a battery 206 or other suitable power source tosupply electrical power to motor 204.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of a power unit 302 for generatingand distributing mechanical power used to operate the automatic featuresof system 100. In the exemplary embodiment, power unit 302 includes abiasing member 304, for example, a windable spring to supply mechanicalpower to shaft 116. Biasing member 304 may be charged manually using akey 306 or winding handle.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a web 128 in accordance with anexemplary embodiment of the present invention. In the exemplaryembodiment, web 128 is an elongate, thin flat ribbon-like matrixcomprising a plurality of apertures 402 spaced evenly along a centerline404 of web 128. Apertures 402 are configured to receive and maintain arespective balloon 126. In a first state 406, balloon 126 is rolled to acondensed configuration. Web 128 and balloons 126 may be covered in asheath 408, which may take the form of a membrane surrounding web 128and balloons 126 to maintain balloons in their condensed configurationand to protect the balloon from abrasion and moisture until ready foruse. In a second state 410, balloon 126 is distended from its condensedconfiguration and ready for filling. Transition from first state 406 tosecond state 410 may be aided by a flow of pressurized water from nozzle122. For example, as balloon 126 begins to fill and distend, theincreased size and force of expansion due to the introduction ofpressurized water into balloon 126 tends to exert an outward forceagainst sheath 408 causing sheath 408 to split or otherwise break-apartto permit the continued expansion of balloon 126.

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of web 128 in accordance with anexemplary embodiment of the present invention. In the exemplaryembodiment, throat 138 of balloon 126 is fed through one of theplurality of apertures 402 formed in web 128. A lip 502 formed about adistal end 504 of throat 138 extends away from web 128 on a sideopposite from balloon 126. A seal 506 may positioned between anunderside of lip 504 and web 128. Seal 506 may also serve to securethroat 138 in web 128 by adhesion, interference, compression, or othermethod.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a web 602 in accordance with another embodimentof the present invention. In this embodiment, web 602 includes threecolumns 604 of pluralities of apertures 606. Each aperture 606 isconfigured to receive throat 138 of a respective balloon, as describedabove. Web 602 may perforated along perforated lines 608 cut into web602 to facilitate separating web 602 into three separate web portions, afirst web portion 610, a second web portion 612, and a third webportion. As web 602 advances toward respective nozzles 612, web 602tears along perforations 608 and/or is cut by an edge 614. Web 602 isdirected toward nozzles 612 by a common power unit 616 or by separatepower units 618 associated with each nozzle 612.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an embodiment of automatic water balloonfilling system 100. In this embodiment, automatic water balloon fillingsystem 100 includes a housing 700 surrounding most components ofautomatic water balloon filling system 100. Housing 700 is ergonomic forgrasping with a human hand and facilitates the operation of automaticwater balloon filling system 100. Housing 700 includes a collapsiblestand 702, a water balloon multi-dispenser tip 704, a cartridge feedreceptacle 706, and a water supply connection 708.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another embodiment of automatic waterballoon filling system 100. In this embodiment, automatic water balloonfilling system 100 includes a housing 800 surrounding most components ofautomatic water balloon filling system 100. Housing 800 is alsoergonomic for grasping with a human hand and facilitates the operationof automatic water balloon filling system 100. Housing 800 includes awater balloon dispenser chute 804, a cartridge feed receptacle 806, anda water supply connection 808.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention,including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in theart to practice the invention, including making and using any devices orsystems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope ofthe invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examplesthat occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intendedto be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elementsthat do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if theyinclude equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differencesfrom the literal languages of the claims.

1. An automatic filling system comprising: a drive assembly; a source ofbladders to be filled, said bladders comprising a throat having anopening, said bladders joined in serial arrangement to a feeding web,said web configured to be moved through the system using said driveassembly; a nozzle configured to receive a flow of filling fluid anddirect the flow of fluid into each bladder in turn; a closure deviceproximate said nozzle, said closure device configured to secure eachbladder when filled such that each bladder remains filled afterdischarge from the system; and a trigger assembly configured to activatethe closure device at a predetermined level of filling of each bladder.2. The system of claim 1, wherein said drive assembly comprises at leastone of a turbine, an electric motor, and a bias member as a source ofdrive power.
 3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a feedercomprising a mechanical power coupler, said feeder configured to contactthe bladder feeding web and translate the feeding web from a storedposition along a feed path through the automatic filling system.
 4. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein said feeder is configured to align theopening of each bladder with the nozzle prior to a filling step.
 5. Thesystem of claim 1, further comprising a reloadable bladder cartridgeenclosing the source of bladders to be filled, the bladders removablycoupled to the bladder feeding web.
 6. The system of claim 1, whereinthe trigger assembly is configured to determine a level of filling ofeach bladder using at least one of a weight and a size of the bladder.7. The system of claim 1, wherein the closure device is configured totie the throat of the bladder.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein theclosure device is configured to clamp the throat of the bladder.
 9. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the nozzle is configured to engage theopening of bladder being filled in a water tight seal.
 10. A reloadableballoon cartridge comprising: a base comprising an attachment deviceconfigured to couple to a complementary attachment member positioned ona automatic balloon filling system; a cover configured to couple to saidbase enclosing an interior volume; a feeder comprising a mechanicalpower coupler, said feeder configured to contact a balloon feeding weband translate the web through the cartridge from a stored position alonga feed path to a cartridge outlet.
 11. The balloon cartridge of claim10, further comprising an elongate flexible web positioned within theballoon cartridge, the web comprising a length and a centerline axisextending along the length of the web.
 12. The balloon cartridge ofclaim 11, further comprising a plurality of balloons coupled the web.13. The balloon cartridge of claim 10, wherein said web comprises aplurality of holes therethrough extending along the length andsubstantially aligned along the centerline.
 14. The balloon cartridge ofclaim 10, wherein said web comprises a plurality of balloon attachmentpoints extending along the length and substantially aligned along thecenterline, the balloon attachment points each comprising a couplerconfigured to removably attach one of the plurality of balloons to theweb.
 15. The balloon cartridge of claim 10, wherein said mechanicalpower coupler is configured to couple to a mechanical power distributorand deliver mechanical power from a drive assembly to the feeder.
 16. Amethod of automatically supplying sealed fluid filled bladders, saidmethod comprising: feeding a plurality of bladders sequentially arrangedalong a web; aligning an opening of each of the plurality of bladderswith a nozzle; directing a stream of pressurized fluid through theopening into an interior of the plurality of bladders; securing theopening after a predetermined amount of pressurized fluid has enteredthe interior; and disengaging each of the plurality of bladders from theweb upon the securing.
 17. The method of claim 16, further comprisingdetermining that a predetermined amount of pressurized fluid has enteredthe interior using at least one of a weight of the bladder and adiameter of the bladder.
 18. The method of claim 16, wherein theplurality of bladders and the web are enclosed in a splittable sheathconfigured to protect the plurality of bladders and wherein directing astream of pressurized fluid through the opening into an interior of theplurality of bladders comprises splitting the sheath during an expansionof the bladders during filling.
 19. The method of claim 16, whereinsecuring the opening comprises tying the opening of the bladder.
 20. Themethod of claim 16, wherein securing the opening comprises clamping theopening of the bladder.